Any advice appreciated!

[iAMASHOWJUMPER]

Hi!
Firstly, I would just like to say:
I'm not a spoilt brat!
I've been riding for 6 years now, but 5 years straight!
I really really really appreciate that I'm lucky to get the oppurtunity to actually ride at all!
It's just I'd really like to have the freedom to try things of my own accord and learn at my pace because there's so much I'd like to do that we can't in lessons! Like ride on the beach, go on picnick rides etc!
And I've found my perfect pony, quite literally!
Many wouldn't consider him much of a stunner, but to me, he's AMAZING!
He's such a cheeky little boy, but a star for me!
He bucks and all sorts with others, but again, perfectly behaved for me!
My mum knows how much I adore him! My instructor's made several comments on 'our amazing bond' and 'the trust he puts in me'.
So I was just wondering if any of you had any tips on parent persuasion?!
(I've been riding him for about a year or so)
(I'm really new here, so I'm really sorry if this isn't the right place to post this!)
(I just want to say again that I'm really appreciative of everything my parents already do for me, and I really don't want people to think I'm a spoilt brat! I've not mentioned buying him before, because I don't want people to think that! So any comments suggesting this won't be appreciated!)

 

[trottingon]

Hi
I would suggest you need to do some homework to find out the facts before approaching your parents. The more adult about it you can be, the more seriously they will hopefully consider your idea.

There's lots you can do...

Do you know if your parents can afford the upkeep of a pony? If not are you able to get a part time job to help with the costs? - if so bear in mind you will be sharing your spare time between working and the pony - would you have time for both?
Have you found out the costs of stabling in your area? Would you be able to get to the yard before school, even in the winter? So would you have the pony on DIY, part or full livery? Would you have to rely on parents for transport to the stables each day - do they have time, would they be happy with this?

I wouldn't rely on the amounts people state on here for their monthly costs, they vary so wildly. You need to find out the actual costs in your area, so start asking around. My pony on a small DIY costs me as little as £100 per month, but plenty of people on here quote 2 or 3 times more than this for their minimum costs.

You need to work out the full regular monthly costs, such as stabling, feed, hay, bedding, insurance, worming, annual jabs, trimming/shoeing, headcollar and leadrope, grooming kit - to start with, then occasional costs such as rugs, tack, fly spray, hibiscrub, wound cream, bandages, rug repairs, saddle soap, replacing broken water buckets, more pairs of jods (you'll be wearing them every day), insurance excess fee if you call the vet out, travel to shows/farm rides, entry fees etc.

Do you have the knowledge and capability to look after a pony? This can depend on the type of yard you will keep it at, but you will need to be capable of all the care and jobs you will be responsible for. If you are at full livery you won't need to know how to do everything necessarily but you will need to be able to tell if the people you pay to look after your pony are doing a good job (there are some rogues out there), but if you choose DIY you will be completely responsible for all duties 100% of the time.

You say you have been riding for a few years. It really doesn't matter how long you have been riding, what counts is how good you are. If you are completely honest with yourself do you really think you are capable of handling and riding a pony on your own without the support of an instructor?

And finally, the pony you have set your heart on....is he for sale? Would the owner consider selling him? If not, you will have to start searching for a suitable pony, which can be a minefield in itself.

I'm sure there are things I've missed out, but if you can do the above it will put you in good stead for answering the inevitable questions your parents will ask when you eventally have "the conversation", and hopefully they will be impressed with the amount of thought you have put into it, which will hopefully give you a better chance of achieving your dream.

If you are serious, having your own pony can be the most amazing wonderful experience, which I find hard to describe in words... but it has downs as well as ups don't forget, it is never plain sailing.

Good luck!

 

[jrp204]

Unfortunately there is a HUGE difference in riding someone elses horse, either riding school or friends and actually buying one. Even if your riding cost you £25/wk to ride now, owning your own would work out at least 3 times that. Having your own horse does give you some freedom but you also have to remember that to go anywhere different you will require transport of some sort, more expense.
I'm sure if your parents could afford it they would have bought you something already but things are very tight money wise for alot of people and buying a pony will probably not be on the list of priorities for your parents, it is also hard if you have brothers and sisters because as a parent you try to treat your kids the same.
You are lucky you can ride now, you don't sound at all brattish either, it may be a matter of making the most of what you have at the moment, you never know what the future may bring.
(Sorry, boring parent hat on!!)